Evie's War Read Online Free Page A

first opportunity, as I do not doubt that she will be better informed than I.
20 July
    In response to my enquiries I have learned that Aunt Marjorie and Uncle Aubrey met in Switzerland when she was on holiday with her parents, my grandparents. Shall I meet my future husband on our Tour, I wonder?
22 July
    During my walk today I stopped to speak with Uncle Aubrey’s farm manager, Mr Tolley, who seemed amused by my interest in the operation of the estates. His replies were perfectly civil, however, and he ended by saying I had a quick brain for questions. I believe it was a compliment.
23 July
    Father and Uncle Aubrey left for London. I confess I am envious.
25 July
    Despite being summer it has rained non-stop for days, causing my two younger cousins to be at their most tiresome. My retreat to the library having failed, I was obliged to spend the afternoon occupying them with games. Thankless task.
Sunday 26 July
    Father returned from his trip in a sombre mood. He says London is in a very grey state, though he wouldn’t say more. When I asked about our Tour of Europe he replied that it was ‘not currently possible to proceed’, and that we may instead visit Scotland and the Lake District, and perhaps call on the Fairfields in Yorkshire. In truth it is scant compensation for Paris and the Rhine.
28 July
    Austria has declared War on Serbia. Perhaps it is as well that we are not planning to visit Vienna at present.
29 July
    The Misses Morecombe have invited Edmund and me to make up a tennis party for this weekend.
1 August
    It is jolly lucky that I was on the tennis team at School, as several of the group proved fearfully good. Edmund acquitted himself well on the court but less favourably in discussion, announcing that women ‘should be content to choose motherhood as a career, as it is to this that they are best suited’. I believe he only said so to be controversial, as he has at least two friends whose sisters have careers in teaching and nursing, and I have never observed him to disapprove of them — quite the reverse. Miss Bartlett, who had raised the topic, refused to become riled, instead challenging him to a further game of tennis in which she did her best to beat him, and came close to doing so. I remained aloof from their debate. Miss Hurley and two of her friends are planning a visit to the maze at Saffron Walden next week and have invited me to join them.
2 August
    Germany declared War on Russia yesterday. It seems odd that such things should be happening when we are enjoying the sunshine and playing tennis.
Tuesday 4 August
    Britain has declared War on Germany, that country having declined to halt its aggression against our Allies in Europe. Father says New Zealand will stand behind Britain, and that our troops will soon be on the seas.
6 August
    There has been a terrific thunderstorm today, which feels quite appropriate, as if God himself is raging over the foolishness of Men.
7 August
    Miss Hurley arrived in a carriage mid-morning and we jogged off along the narrow lanes, raindrops sparkling like jewels where they hung in the hedgerows. The maze was diverting (if a little damp underfoot), but it is the architecture of the town that thrills me. Even the simplest worker’s cottage has charm, while the dark timbers, whitewash and handsome pargeting of the larger buildings are steeped in the memory of those gone before.
10 August
    A number of ships have been sunk and hundreds drowned. The Defence of Belgium is under way, with reports in the newspapers of fierce fighting on both sides. Mother says I am becoming far too serious and is planning an outing ‘to cheer us’.
11 August
    It seems there is to be one shock after another. I discovered Aunt Marjorie ripping open the seams of one of Mother’s dresses. When I asked why, she replied, ‘Can you not guess?’ I could not, and said so. Pursing up her mouth, she sent me to Mother, who first denied there was anything wrong